A Novel Virtual Button User Interface for Determining the Characteristics of an Impulse Input Based on MEMS Inertial Sensors

• Main Authors: A. J. ZWART, G. M. DERIGE, D. EFFA, P. NIEVA, S. LANCASTER-LAROCQUE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IFSA Publishing, S.L. 2009-10-01
• Series: Sensors & Transducers
• Subjects: MEMS inertial sensors; Consumer electronic devices; Virtual button technology; Infection control; User interface
• Online Access: http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/october_09/P_SI_95.pdf

This paper introduces a novel application of MEMS accelerometers in consumer electronics for ‘Virtual Button’ technology. The MEMS accelerometer is designed to measure low-g acceleration and sense tapping motion on a cell phone, consumer electronic, medical user interface, or harsh environment user interface. In this paper we outline this patent pending application and discuss the modeling and analysis of the accelerometer designed for this purpose. Prior art in impulse localization with inertial sensors is discussed. The features of the Virtual Button user interface are presented and applications of Virtual Buttons to medical, touch screen, and hand-held electronic devices are discussed. The initial considerations for the design of an accelerometer with an operating range of 0.5-20 and noise levels of less than 0.124 mg (Hz)^0.5 are also presented.